Vale of Leithen 0

Cumbernauld Colts 4

By Callum Hodgson

At Victoria Park

VALE OF LEITHEN suffered their ninth defeat of the season on Saturday.

Two goals each from Martin Wright and Lewis Bonar secured the three points for Cumbernauld Colts at Victoria Park.

There was good football on show for both sides in the first half.

Sam Davidson and Billy Mortimer created several chances for visitors in the opening half hour.

But Vale keeper Ben McGinley made a couple of fantastic stops to keep them out.

However the breakthrough eventually came on 35 minutes.

Craig Murray launched a free kick from the halfway line into the box and Wright connected to head the ball into the net.

Early in the second period the Vale began to push on more, however Calum Frain’s effort flew over the crossbar.

But despite the good play in midfield, the Vale were punished just a minute later.

Colts captain Stephen O’Neill had his shot heroically cleared off the line by Jack Temple; but Wright was on hand to slot home the rebound.

And soon after Bonar got on the scoresheet when he connected with a cross from the left-hand side.

From then, the Innerleithen side struggled to create many chances.

Goalie McGinley was called on again, making a fantastic diving save to deny Cumbernauld substitute Lee Whitmore.

But the scoring was eventually rounded up eight minutes from time.

James Grant floated in a corner from the left and Bonar was on hand to head in.

Following the game, Vale gaffer Chris Anderson said: “It is frustrating because we did okay in the first half.

“We competed as well as we have done over the last three weeks.

“That was a positive, but the first goal was a difficult one to take.

“I thought it was a poor decision [to award the free kick], but we just did not defend the cross.

“As soon as if got to 2-0 in the second half, the confidence just drained from the team.”

Next Saturday the Vale are set to face Heston Rovers at Victoria Park in the Soccer Shop Challenge Cup.

Vale: B McGinley, L Hall (L Kinchant 70), C Frain (S Swain 70), J Temple, N Weir, A Martin (R Higgins 60), B Rixon, G Rossi, A Laidlaw, J Grotlin, C Anderson